Chitwan is a national park south west of kathmandu and about 8 hours on the bus. Buses are easier and cheap enough to catch from Thamel.. though a little early in the morning for my tastes. Chitwan has everything a budding safari-ist could hope for. There are lots of lodges to suit every taste and budget. When you arrive by bus you will be hounded by them all asking for your business and it is easy to haggle if you want the cheapest deal, alternatively you can book in advance in kathmandu. The standard package will bring you rhino spotting by elephant ride through the jungle, crocodile spotting by dug out canoe, bird watching, elephant sanctury breeding programme and a jungle walk. You can book a few nights in a woodern hut on stilts and camp out for the chance to spot tigers at night! It is beautiful and peaceful and highly relaxing, a definate must for anyone spending time in this magnificant land.

The various parks scattered around the country offer a unique opportunity to view a variety of animals from close quarters. Several resort that boast comfortable accommodation and delectable cuisine dot the parks. Manned by trained personnel they provide various wildlife activities like safaris on elephant backs, walks thorough the jungle, canoe trips that take you deep into the jungle, beyond the beaten tracks. The anticipation of encountering a rhino or a tiger face to face or listening to the sights and sounds of the jungle gives you a high beyond comprehension. Apart from animals the culture and lifestyle of the Tharus, the local indigenous people of the terai, offer a unique cultural experience.

Sights:The hilarious guy in our hotel gave us a slide show of all the animals that inhabit the area, he was funny, informative and really nice. I booked with ultimate descents in Thamel and got the entire package for 30USD. It was worth every penny!